Let's Talk Boob Positivity

The body positivity movement has been revolutionary in allowing people to feel comfortable in the skin they’re in. I admire the people of all shapes and sizes who are taking a stand and fighting traditional beauty standards that have confined us for so long. I really started noticing the movement gaining momentum this year, and I only wish that it had been as impactful when I was in middle school.

My chest size used to be the bain of my existence. I’m a 32A, which is pretty much the smallest bra size you can be. As I was growing up, I watched all my friends go from an A cup to a B cup, a B cup to a C cup, and I thought, “Hey puberty, did you forget about me?!” I remember the first push up bra I ever bought—it was lime green with a floral pattern and thick padding that hurt my boobs whenever I wore it. So, why did I wear it? Because, 14-year-old me wanted to fit in; she wanted the boys in her class to think she was attractive. How awful is that, to determine my own self-worth by the size, or perceived size, of my boobs? My sister used to always tell me I was lucky to be a 32A, because I could fit into pretty much any top. While this was true, I still couldn’t help but feel less feminine, less attractive.

But, is the size of one’s chest what makes them attractive? I certainly don’t think so now. As of late, I have been interested in drawing boobs of all varieties. Through this, I realized that there is no one chest size or boob shape that can be deemed ‘attractive.’ Every boob is different, and I love that. Also, realizing the women who endure mastectomies and double mastectomies made me understand how trivial my problem with my boobs are. Through my graphic design I wanted to convey just a small portion of all the shapes and sizes boobs come in. In analyzing the societal norms concerning boobs, it’s crucial to discuss how this issue impacts trans women. Today, many people still believe in the traditional notion that “boobs” and “woman” go hand-in-hand, but that is not always the case. During the women's marches this past week, many people were upset over cis women's vagina-centric apparel and posters, because such genitalia is not required to identify as a woman. On a similar note, boobs are not necessary to identify as female.

Boob positivity is an important part of the body positivity movement, and one that isn’t as frequently talked about. When we are constantly surrounded by bra ads displaying the perfect perky B cup, it can feel isolating. But don’t let society’s airbrushed and Photoshopped display of “perfection” fool you—every boob is different, and every boob is beautiful.